Convertible table structure



Sept. 3, 1929. B. J. BROWN CONVERTIBLE TABLE STRUCTURE Filed June 2, 1928 Patented sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED 'STATES PATI-:NTl OFFICE.

BENJAMIN J'. BROWN, GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CONVERTIBLE TABLE STRUCTURE.

Application med rune 2, 192s. 'serial No. 282,412.

support when the latter is contracted, the top f ybeing thus adapted to serve as a screen, the elements of the structure being. permanently connected so that the structure is indivisible whenin an operative condition, and is convertible without detaching any element from another. f

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification- F'gure l is a perspective View, showing a structure embodying the invention, converted into a table.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, showing the structure converted into a reside screen.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section on the planes indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 2, the top being in the position shown by Figure 2.

Figure Il is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the top in dil'erent positions by full and broken lines.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, the top being in the position shown by Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows the coupling in perspective, detachedfrom the support and from the top, a portion of one of the runner members of the coupling being broken away.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the gures.

My improved structure` comprises a fiat top 12, andan eXpansible and contractible top support composed of two sections, each including a pair of legs 13, and a cross connecting the upper ends of the legs. rIhe cross-bar 14 of each section intersects and is pivoted to the cross-bar of the other section by a vertical pivot bolt 15, to permit expansion of the support, so that it has an enlarged leg base, as shown by Figure 1, and the contraction of the support, so that it has` a contracted leg base, as shown by Figure 2, the expansion and contraction being caused by swinging movements of the sections relative to ea'ch other.

The structure comprises also a coupling bar 14, i

connecting the top with the support and organized to permit sliding and swinging movements of the top, so that it may assume l either of the positions shown by Figures 1 and 2. An element of the coupling is a guidling base fixed to the intersecting portions of the crosssbars 14, and preferably formed as shown by Figure 6, the base being composed of a plate 16, perforated at 17 toA receive the pivot bolt 15, and having'spaced apart upstanding ears 18, provided with grooves 1 9.

The vother element of the coupling is an elongated runner slidable on the base, and interengaged with the grooves 19, to prevent side- Wise movement of the runner out of engagement with the base. a

rlhe runner is composed of a longer member 20, fixed to the top 12 by fasteners 21, and a shorter member 22, connected by a hinge 23 with thev member 20, said members having opposite longitudinal edges entering and slidable in the grooves 19. The members are engageable alternately with the guiding base, asbest indicated by Figures 1 and 2.

When the su port is expanded, the runner member-20 an the top 12 are. supported in a horizontal position by the guide, as shown by Figures 1 and 5, so that the top 12 constitutes a table top, the member 20 being engaged with the groove 19, and horizontally supported by the guiding base, and the hinged member 22 eing loose and out of\ engagement with the ase.

When the support is contracted the runner member 22 is engaged with the grooves 19, and supported in a horizontal position by the base, as shown by Figures 2 to '6, the member 20 being out of the grooves and loose, so that said member and the top 12 attached thereto, are

free to swing to a vertical position, causing the top to constitute a screen.

As above stated, the longitudinal edges of p each of the runner members are interengaged with the grooves 19., so that the engaged member fcannot be separated, by asidewise movement, from the base. To prevent separation of the runner from the base by an endwise movement of the runner in either direction, I provide the outer ends of the'runner members with stop4 shouldersl 25. Thel shoulder on the runner member 22 is adapted to abut one end of the base, to limit the end-l suitable means may be provided for limiting the contraction of the top support, so that the legs, when adjusted as shownby Figure 2, will have a sufficiently stable, although contracted, leg base or bearing on a floor, tomaintain the structure in an upright position.

The guiding base and the runner members -arepreferably composed of sheet metal, as

I formed tobear on the top 12 and loffset the' indicated by transverse bosses.

The runner members may be provided with longitudinal bosses 29,

longitudinal edges of said members from the -top, to accommodate the grooved portions of the base'ears 18.

Thel upper edges 'of the cross-bars '14 have recesses (Figure 1), providing lraised portions on which the top bears when horizontally arranged, and depressed central Vportions accommodating the coupling. l

The 'top 12 may have tongues 31, attached to its inner side and arranged to .enter slots 32 in the cross-bars 14, when the structure is.`

atable. v

Iclaim: i

1. A' convertible'table structure comprising, in combination, a tabletop, an expansible and contractible top support composed of pivotally connected sections including legs and intersecting cross-bars connecting the legs, .and a coupling inseparably connecting the` top with the support, and including a gulding base lixed to the upper portion of the supportand maintained horizontally thereby, and an elongated runner slidable on and interengaged with the base, and composed of a longer member ixed tothe top, a shorter member, bers, the members being engageable alternate# ly with the base, the arrangement being such that 'whenthe longer member is engaged with vthe base, -the top is supported horizontally above the supy Figure 6, the stops 25 beingand a hinge connecting said memort, and the shorter member Vlsloose, the structure constitutingl a table, and

-When the shorter member is engaged with the base, the longer member andthe top are loose, and permitted to swing to a vertical position beside the support, to convert the structure into a screen.

2. A convertible table structure comprising, in combination, a table top, an expansible and contractible top support composed of sections including legs and intersecting crossbars connecting'the legs, and a pivot bolt connecting the cross-bars to permit the expansion and contraction of the support, and a coupling inseparably connecting the top with the support and including a guiding'v base secured in a horizontal position to. the support by said pivot bolt, and provided with grooved ears, and an elongated runner .having longitudinal edges interengaged with said ears, the runner being composed of. a longer member ixed to the top, a shorter member, Iand a hinge .connecting said members, the members being cn-gageable alternately with the ears, the arrangement being such that when the longer member is engaged with the top is supported horizontally the base,

support, and the shorterl member 1s above the loose, the structure constituting a table, and

when the shorter member is engaged with the base, the longer member and the top are loose, and permitted to swing to a vertical position beside the support, to convert the structure into a screen.

f 3. A convertible table as specified by claim 1, the runner being provided with stops at the outer ends of its members, adapted to cooperate with the base in limiting the sliding movements of the runner, to prevent the endwise removal of veither member from the base.

4. A coupling for the top and top support' of a convertible table structure, said coupling comprising a guiding base' having grooved ears, and adapted I.to-"be attached to a top f support with the ears extending horizontally, .and an elongated runner having longitudinal edges interengagedfwvith said ears, the ruimer being composed of a longer member adapted to be fixed to-a table top, a shorter member, and a hinge connecting said members, the members being engageable/alternately with the base, so. that each may be horizontally' confined by the base While the other is loose.-

In testimony I.whereof Ihave affixed my signature.

g BENJAMIN J. BROWN. 

